Agenda and minutes

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Expected timing: 208(v3) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 15/05/2019 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

Presiding Officer Statement

The item started at 13.30

The Llywydd informed Members that she had been notified under Standing Order 1.3 that four Assembly Members had formed a new group, and that she would consider her responsibilities under Standing Orders and notify the Assembly of her conclusions.

 

Point of Order

The item started at 13.30

Alun Davies raised a point of order requesting that the Llywydd consider her discretion under Standing Order 1.4 in deciding any question as to whether any Member belongs to a political group or as to which political group he or she belongs. The Member stated that as the four Assembly Members in question had stood for election under a different political party, their new grouping undermines the democracy of the Assembly. The Llywydd thanked the Member for the point of order and stated that, as always, Standing Orders would form the basis of her considerations.

 

Presiding Officer Statement

The item started at 13.31

The Llywydd informed the Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 26.75, that the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill was given Royal Assent today.

 

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.32

Questions 1 – 7  and 9 - 10 were asked. Questions 4 and 10 were grouped together for answer. Question 8 was withdrawn although the Llywydd stated that the Member was in the Chamber to have asked  the question. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.19

Questions 1-2, 4-8 and 10-11 were asked. Question 3 was not asked. Question 9 was withdrawn. Questions 7 and 8 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To ask the Minister for Economy and Transport

 

David Rees (Aberavon): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the announcement that the joint venture between Tata Steel Ltd and Thyssenkrupp AG is likely not to be approved by the European Commission and thus any further process on the joint venture will be suspended?

 

 

To ask the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd

 

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): Further to the written statement yesterday, will the Minister provide an update on HMRC's error regarding Welsh Rates of Income Tax?

 

 

To ask the Deputy Minister

 

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister make a statement on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, in light of comments made today by Rhodri Williams QC describing the legislation as 'toothless'?

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.09

To ask the Minister for Economy and Transport

David Rees (Aberavon): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the announcement that the joint venture between Tata Steel Ltd and Thyssenkrupp AG is likely not to be approved by the European Commission and thus any further process on the joint venture will be suspended?

 

To ask the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): Further to the written statement yesterday, will the Minister provide an update on HMRC's error regarding Welsh Rates of Income Tax?

 

To ask the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister make a statement on the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, in light of comments made today by Rhodri Williams QC describing the legislation as 'toothless'?

 

 

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 16.04

Dai Lloyd made a statement on - Raising the issue of Coeliac disease during Coeliac awareness week.

 

(30 mins)

5.

Statement by the Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee: Maintaining Confidence in the Standards Procedure

Minutes:

The item started at 16.06

 

(30 mins)

6.

Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal - Non-carbon-emission public vehicles bill

NDM7020 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes a proposal for non-carbon-emission public vehicles bill.

2. Notes that the purpose of this bill will be:

a) to promote the use of electric vehicles or non-emission vehicles in Wales in order to help reduce carbon emissions; and

b) to place a duty on the Welsh Government and other public bodies to develop a strategy to move towards using electric vehicles or non-emission vehicles in the public fleet in Wales.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.13

NDM7020 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes a proposal for non-carbon-emission public vehicles bill.

2. Notes that the purpose of this bill will be:

a) to promote the use of electric vehicles or non-emission vehicles in Wales in order to help reduce carbon emissions; and

b) to place a duty on the Welsh Government and other public bodies to develop a strategy to move towards using electric vehicles or non-emission vehicles in the public fleet in Wales.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(60 mins)

7.

Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) - Healthy School Meals

NDM7002 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that healthy, nourishing school meals can make an essential contribution to pupils’ wellbeing, attainment, and positive behaviour.

2. Notes that the Children’s Commissioner’s report A Charter for Change: Protecting Welsh Children from the Impact of Poverty provides worrying evidence that a significant number of pupils are not getting their entitlement set out in the healthy eating in maintained schools guidance.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) clarify whether the standards of school meals are the responsibility of school governors, local authorities or the Welsh Government and what action is being taken to ensure they are being monitored; and

b) outline what action is being taken to increase the amount of food for schools being procured locally as part of its emphasis on the foundational economy.

'A Charter for Change: Protecting Welsh Children from the Impact of Poverty'

'Healthy eating in maintained schools: Statutory guidance for local authorities and governing bodies'

Co-Submitters

Dai Lloyd (South Wales West)
Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales)

Supporters

Darren Millar (Clwyd West)
David Rowlands (South Wales East)
Mike Hedges (Swansea East)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire)
Vikki Howells (Cynon Valley)

Minutes:

The item started at 16.35

NDM7002 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that healthy, nourishing school meals can make an essential contribution to pupils’ wellbeing, attainment, and positive behaviour.

2. Notes that the Children’s Commissioner’s report A Charter for Change: Protecting Welsh Children from the Impact of Poverty provides worrying evidence that a significant number of pupils are not getting their entitlement set out in the healthy eating in maintained schools guidance.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) clarify whether the standards of school meals are the responsibility of school governors, local authorities or the Welsh Government and what action is being taken to ensure they are being monitored; and

b) outline what action is being taken to increase the amount of food for schools being procured locally as part of its emphasis on the foundational economy.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(60 mins)

8.

Welsh Conservatives debate - Young Adult Carers

NDM7050 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that there are more than 21,000 young adult carers in Wales aged 14-25 who provide assistance and support for families and friends.

2. Is deeply concerned that young adult carers have significantly lower educational attainment than their peers and that they are three times more likely to be not in education, employment or training (NEET).

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to urgently address the support needs of young adult carers, as well as barriers to education, training and employment they face, including:

a) early identification of young carers to help them with accessible support and reduce the likelihood of young people disengaging from education;

b) bringing forward national introduction of the young carers’ ID card alongside a duty for local authorities to implement the card;

c) increasing awareness of local authorities of their duties under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 to promote the wellbeing of carers who need support; and

d) helping young carers to access post-16 education, including through the introduction of a concessionary travel scheme.

Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014

 

The following amendments have been tabled

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

In point 3b, delete “alongside a duty for local authorities to implement the card” and replace with “and working with local authorities to implement the card”

Amendment 2 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Insert as new sub-point at end of point 3:

'ensuring that respite care provision improves so that young carers can have a break.'

Minutes:

The item started at 17.15

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7050 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that there are more than 21,000 young adult carers in Wales aged 14-25 who provide assistance and support for families and friends.

2. Is deeply concerned that young adult carers have significantly lower educational attainment than their peers and that they are three times more likely to be not in education, employment or training (NEET).

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to urgently address the support needs of young adult carers, as well as barriers to education, training and employment they face, including:

a) early identification of young carers to help them with accessible support and reduce the likelihood of young people disengaging from education;

b) bringing forward national introduction of the young carers’ ID card alongside a duty for local authorities to implement the card;

c) increasing awareness of local authorities of their duties under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 to promote the wellbeing of carers who need support; and

d) helping young carers to access post-16 education, including through the introduction of a concessionary travel scheme.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

0

30

44

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

In point 3b, delete “alongside a duty for local authorities to implement the card” and replace with “and working with local authorities to implement the card”

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

18

44

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Insert as new sub-point at end of point 3:

'ensuring that respite care provision improves so that young carers can have a break.'

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

44

0

0

44

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7050 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that there are more than 21,000 young adult carers in Wales aged 14-25 who provide assistance and support for families and friends.

2. Is deeply concerned that young adult carers have significantly lower educational attainment than their peers and that they are three times more likely to be not in education, employment or training (NEET).

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to urgently address the support needs of young adult carers, as well as barriers to education, training and employment they face, including:

a) early identification of young carers to help them with accessible support and reduce the likelihood of young people disengaging from education;

b) bringing forward national introduction of the young carers’ ID card and working with local authorities to implement the card;

c) increasing awareness of local authorities of their duties under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 to promote the wellbeing of carers who need support;

d) helping young carers to access post-16 education, including through the introduction of a concessionary travel scheme; and

e) ensuring that respite care provision improves so that young carers can have a break.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

40

4

0

44

The motion as amended was agreed.

9.

Voting Time

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 18.06

(30 mins)

10.

Short Debate

NDM7051 Lynne Neagle (Torfaen)

Longer learning for better, safer lives: the case for raising the age of participation in education in Wales

 

Minutes:

The item started at 18.08

NDM7051 Lynne Neagle (Torfaen)

Longer learning for better, safer lives: the case for raising the age of participation in education in Wales